Join the Legion

Requirements for Membership

Membership in the American Legion shall be limited to the men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the following periods and died in the line of duty during such service, or who, having received an Honorable Discharge, died after service dates below.

Membership in the Sons of the American Legion shall be limited to the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of members of The American Legion, and to the male descendant (stepsons and adopted sons included) of all men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the following periods and died in the line of duty during such service, or who, having received an Honorable Discharge, died after service dates below.

Membership in the American Legion Auxiliary shall be limited to the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives, and direct and adopted female descendants of members of The American Legion, and to the grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives, and direct and adopted female descendants of all men and women who were in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the following periods and died in the line of duty during such service, or who, having received an Honorable Discharge, died after service dates below.

Gulf War/War on Terrorism
August 2, 1990 to date of cessation

Panama
December 20, 1989 - January 31, 1990

Lebanon and Grenada
August 24, 1982 - July 31, 1984

Vietnam War
February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975

Korean War
June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955

WW II
December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946

WW I
April 6, 1917 - November 11,1918

Please fill out ONLY the column you are applying for. If you like, you can click the form title to get just that form.

Obtain proof of your eligibility.
a. DD-214 Discharge Papers (not issued until after the Korean War)
b. Official Military Orders
c. Official Military Service Citations/Awards
d. Letters related to the veteran’s military service. Must be on official government letterhead
e. Certificate from the VA records center in St. Louis
f. Data from the back of older discharges
*DD-214 Discharge Papers can be requested online by visiting www.archives.gov

Obtain proof of your eligibility. Note: If the person who provides your eligibility is a member of The American Legion, eligibility documentation is likely not necessary; however you do need to provide his or her American Legion member ID number and Post information on your application.
If the person who provides your eligibility is deceased, acceptable eligibility documents include:
a. DD-214 Discharge Papers (not issued until after the Korean War)
b. Official Military Orders
c. Official Military Service Citations/Awards
d. Letters related to the veteran’s military service. Must be on official government letterhead
e. Certificate from the VA records center in St. Louis
f. Data from the back of older discharges
*DD-214 Discharge Papers can be requested online by visiting www.archives.gov

Obtain proof of your eligibility. Note: If the person who provides your eligibility is a member of The American Legion, eligibility documentation is likely not necessary; however you do need to provide his or her American Legion member ID number and Post information on your application.
If the person who provides your eligibility is deceased, acceptable eligibility documents include:
a. DD-214 Discharge Papers (not issued until after the Korean War)
b. Official Military Orders
c. Official Military Service Citations/Awards
d. Letters related to the veteran’s military service. Must be on official government letterhead
e. Certificate from the VA records center in St. Louis
f. Data from the back of older discharges
*DD-214 Discharge Papers can be requested online by visiting www.archives.gov